Manufacturer of customized spice blends, functional ingredients and ingredient systems for the food industry
RAPS GmbH & Co. KG
Kulmbach · Versmold · AustriaNew on Amplifa
About RAPS
RAPS GmbH & Co. KG is an internationally active manufacturer of spice blends, functional ingredients and customized ingredient systems headquartered in Kulmbach (Upper Franconia). From a spice trading business founded in Hamburg in 1924, the family-owned company has evolved, now in its third generation, into a specialist for taste and functionality producing more than 40,000 tonnes of food ingredients annually. At seven European production sites, including Kulmbach and Versmold in Germany as well as a casing manufacturing plant in Austria, over 1,700 raw materials are processed. The portfolio comprises dry seasoning blends and compounds, paste-like and liquid systems such as sauces, marinades, pastes, chutneys and toppings as well as IQF pellets. Technological processes such as CO₂ extraction, microencapsulation, HD extraction, the Biofrost cold-grinding process and cryogenic shock freezing form the basis for products with enhanced functionality, stability and taste. Customers come from the food industry, foodservice, retail and the butcher trade; with 16 subsidiaries and a global distribution network, RAPS supplies customers internationally.
- Site
- Kulmbach
- Processes
- CO₂ extraction, Microencapsulation, Biofrost cold-grinding process (grinding at extremely low temperatures), Extraction of essential oils and extracts (HD extraction), In-house casing production (RAPRO cellulose fiber casings), IQF pellets (cryogenic shock freezing, shaped frozen products), Emulsion technology in the liquid segment, Flavocap technology (flavor encapsulation)
- Materials
- Spices and herbs, CO₂ extraction, Microencapsulation, HD extraction, Biofrost cold-grinding process, IQF / cryogenic shock freezing, Flavocap technology, Cellulose fiber casings
- Certificates
- Certifications (food safety)
- Founded
- 1924
- Employees
- 900
- Industries
- Food industry, Foodservice / gastronomy, Butcher trade, Retail, Dairy products, Bakery products
- 01
Raw material sourcing
- 02
Development of recipes and concepts for customers
- 03
Processing (milling, extraction, encapsulation, compound production)
- 04
Production of blends, compounds, sauces and systems
- 05
Sensory testing and quality control
- 06
Logistics and distribution
Raw Materials & Processes
Spices and herbs
Over 1,700 raw materials form the basis for seasonings, blends and compounds.
CO₂ extraction
Process for obtaining high-quality extracts with enhanced functionality and stability.
Microencapsulation
Controlled release of flavors and functional ingredients, e.g. for flakes.
HD extraction
Extraction of essential oils and extracts from spices and herbs.
Biofrost cold-grinding process
Grinding at extremely low temperatures to preserve the aromas.
IQF / cryogenic shock freezing
Production of shape-stable, precisely portionable frozen pellets at the Versmold site (approx. 140 t/week).
Flavocap technology
Flavor encapsulation for controlled flavor development, e.g. in chili applications.
Cellulose fiber casings
In-house casing production in Austria for over 30 years for scalded and cooked sausages.
Locations
Kulmbach
DEHeadquarters, research & development and production
- Materials
- Spices, herbs, functional ingredients
- Extraction plant for essential oils and extracts (1965)
- Biofrost cold-grinding process (1972)
- CO₂ extraction
- Microencapsulation
Versmold
DEProduction site for Freshline technology (pastes, sauces, chutneys, toppings, IQF)
- Part weight / size
- approx. 140 t/week
- Materials
- chilled and frozen raw materials, vegetables, spices
- Freshline technology for IQF pellets
Austria
ATProduction site for casings
- Materials
- Cellulose fiber
- In-house casing production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO₂ extractionOther | – | – | – | – | Spices, Raw materials |
| MicroencapsulationOther | – | – | – | – | Flakes, Spices, Flavors |
| Biofrost cold-grinding process (grinding at extremely low temperatures)Other | – | – | – | – | Spices |
| Extraction of essential oils and extracts (HD extraction)Other | – | – | – | – | Spices, Herbs |
| In-house casing production (RAPRO cellulose fiber casings)Other | – | – | – | – | Cellulose fiber |
| IQF pellets (cryogenic shock freezing, shaped frozen products)Other | – | – | – | 140 t/week at the Versmold site | Raw materials, Vegetables, Spices |
| Emulsion technology in the liquid segmentOther | – | – | – | – | Spices, Chili varieties |
| Flavocap technology (flavor encapsulation)Other | – | – | – | – | Flavors, Chili varieties |
| Production of spice blends, seasonings, compounds (dry, paste-like, liquid)Other | – | – | – | over 40,000 t/year (total production) | over 1,700 raw materials (spices, herbs, functional |
| Flavocap technologyOther | – | – | – | – | Flavors |
4 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extraction plant for essential oils and extracts | – | – | – | 1965 | Kulmbach |
| Casing production (in-house) | RAPS | – | – | – | Austria |
| Production site for Freshline technology (raw material pastes, sauces, chutneys, fillings, toppings, | RAPS | – | around 140 tonnes per week | – | Versmold |
| Biofrost cold-grinding plant | – | – | – | 1972 | Kulmbach |
Additional services
Quality & Certifications
RAPS applies consistent quality and safety standards along the entire value chain, from raw material sourcing through processing to distribution. Numerous certifications demonstrate the standards in quality and hygiene; products are tested by sensory experts and food technologists under real production conditions.
| Evidence | Kulmbach |
|---|---|
| Certifications (food safety) |
History
- 1924
Founding of RAPS & Co. by pharmacist Adalbert Raps on 13 August 1924 in Hamburg; spice trading and production of spice blends for meat and sausage products.
- 1937
Expansion of production on a factory site on the Mittelland Canal near the Hamburg free port.
- 1951
Restart in Kulmbach after the destruction of the Hamburg plant; introduction of Glutalin.
- 1965
Construction of an extraction plant for essential oils and extracts in Kulmbach.
- 1971
First issue of the customer magazine 'Würzstern'.
- 1972
Establishment of the Biofrost cold-grinding process and introduction of the 'Gold' product line.
- 2008
Launch of the apprentice project 'Rapsody of Spices' on the factory grounds in Kulmbach.
- 2024
100th company anniversary: 900 employees, 16 subsidiaries, 7 production sites in Germany and Austria.